Human Development: Birth through School Age

Rationale Statement:
Understanding patterns, sequences, and stages of development is essential groundwork for individuals working with children or raising children to make informed decisions. There is an increased need for trained personnel in the childcare field due to increased number of working parents and need for highly qualified educators. Human development knowledge is essential for individuals seeking a career in education, health, medical and human service professions or careers working with youth.
Suggested Grade Level: 9-12
Topics Covered:
  • Human development theories
  • Influences on human growth and development
  • Prenatal development
  • Development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children

Core Technical Standards & Examples:
Indicator #1: Analyze principles of human growth and development.
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Level
Standards and Examples
Analysis

HDBS 1.1 Examine human development theories to predict children’s behavior.
For example:
· View and discuss visual presentation on theories.
· Write a reflection that applies a theory to your personal development.
· Using a case study, reflect on the impact of human development theory on an area of development.
· Compare and contrast human development theories with practices and conditions currently existing in society.
Analysis












HDBS 1.2 Analyze conditions that influence human growth and development
For example:
· Research inherited or environmental factors that influence human growth and development. (examples: twin study, genetic disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, drugs, smoking)
· Develop a personal health family tree.
· Conduct a panel discussion relating to societal trends and the impact on growth and development (examples: working women, mobility, television, video games, Internet, iPods, cell phones).
· Interview people from a variety of ethnic or cultural backgrounds and compare perspectives related to specific age group.
Indicator #2: Analyze growth and development of children.
Application
HDBS 2.1 Examine pregnancy and child birth to determine healthy growth and delivery of a baby
For example:
  • Create a power point presentation
  • Design a website depicting prenatal care and growth of a baby
Analysis
HDBS 2.2 Analyze developmentally appropriate growth in the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of infants.
For example:
  • Critique case studies of growth and development of infants
  • Create a comparison chart and summary of the growth and development of two different infants
Analysis
HDBS 2.3 Distinguish developmentally appropriate growth in the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of toddlers.
For example:
  • Observe toddlers at play and write an assessment of their growth and development
  • Create a questionnaire for parents
Analysis
HDBS 2.4 Analyze developmentally appropriate growth in the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of preschoolers.
For example:
  • Write a evaluation summary preschoolers in a preschool setting
  • Design a website for parents of preschoolers
Evaluation
HDBS 2.5 Evaluate developmentally appropriate growth in the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of school age children.
For example:
  • Evaluate case studies of growth and development of school age children.
  • Create developmentally appropriate activities to enhance each area of growth and development.